ENGLAND STARS LAUD AKHTAR
England batsmen Andrew Strauss and Owais Shah have praised the cricketing skill of Pakistani quick bowler Shoaib Akhtar, upon hearing he has been banned from international cricket for five years – effectively ending his career at the top level. But both Middlesex players considered that it was only a matter of time before the combustible Akhar would be severely disciplined.
England No3 Strauss said: “Shoaib is one of the most difficult bowlers I have faced in terms of raw pace. He has an incredible talent but he has never been a stranger to controversy. It is a shame to see it ending this way.”
Shah, who was born in Pakistan but made his England Test debut in 2001, added: “It is a shame that it looks as though Shoaib’s international career is over. He is one of the quickest bowlers in the world, and you hugely respect him from 22 yards.
“He is an amazing cricketer but there are aspects of your life you have to keep in balance if you are to excel and have a good career. Shohib has possibly made one or two mistakes too many.”
England batsmen Andrew Strauss and Owais Shah have praised the cricketing skill of Pakistani quick bowler Shoaib Akhtar, upon hearing he has been banned from international cricket for five years – effectively ending his career at the top level. But both Middlesex players considered that it was only a matter of time before the combustible Akhar would be severely disciplined.
England No3 Strauss said: “Shoaib is one of the most difficult bowlers I have faced in terms of raw pace. He has an incredible talent but he has never been a stranger to controversy. It is a shame to see it ending this way.”
Shah, who was born in Pakistan but made his England Test debut in 2001, added: “It is a shame that it looks as though Shoaib’s international career is over. He is one of the quickest bowlers in the world, and you hugely respect him from 22 yards.
“He is an amazing cricketer but there are aspects of your life you have to keep in balance if you are to excel and have a good career. Shohib has possibly made one or two mistakes too many.”
Labels: Andrew Strauss, cricket, England, Owais Shah, Pakistan, Shoaib Akhtar
